Lagotto Romagnolo vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison

Lagotto Romagnolo vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed ComparisonLagotto Romagnolo is originated from Italy but West Highland White Terrier is originated from United Kingdom. Lagotto Romagnolo may grow 18 cm / 8 inches higher than West Highland White Terrier. Lagotto Romagnolo may weigh 6 kg / 14 pounds more than West Highland White Terrier. Both Lagotto Romagnolo and West Highland White Terrier has almost same life span. Both Lagotto Romagnolo and West Highland White Terrier has almost same litter size. Lagotto Romagnolo requires Moderate maintenance. But West Highland White Terrier requires High maintenance

History

lagotto romagnolo - historyThe Lagotto Romagnolo dog, known as the Water Dog of Romagna, and falling into the sporting dog category, is a pure breed dog which comes from the Romagna region of Italy.

The dog’s role was that of gun dog and to retrieve water birds. Today he is more used as a truffle hunter in Italy as well as being used for a therapy dog.

In 2015 the Lagotto Romagnolo was accepted by the American Kennel Club into the sporting dog category.

west highland white terrier - historyThe West highland white terrier originated from Poltalloch in Scotland. So they were initially called as Poltalloch terrier and after that they were called as Roseneath terrier. They were initially used for hunting fox, badger, otter and in killing the vermin like rats.

The breed history says that Colonel Malcolm of Poltalloch was the reason for the Westie's white colour. This is because in 19th centuryhe went for hunting with his dogs and accidentally he shot his dog as its colour was as fox. So he decided to breed only white colour dogs.

Description

lagotto romagnolo puppy - descriptionThe Lagotto Ramagnolo is a medium sized dog where both males and females stand anything between 41 and 48cm and weigh 11 to 16kg.

He is well proportioned and muscled, he has large yellow or brown eyes with a black or brown/pinkish nose, floppy, rounded ears and a tail which is left long these days.

The Lagotto Romagnolo has a waterproof double coat with a woolly texture and which hardly sheds, putting him as being hypoallergenic.

The coat can be in a number of different colors such as cream, grey, white, apricot, brown or tan. The face of the dog has a bit of a beard as well as noticeable bushy eyebrows.

Temperament:

  • Jaunty and feisty
  • Cheerful, lively and alert
  • Intelligent and easily trainable
  • Loving and loyal
  • Undemanding

Because the Lagotto is a sporting breed, he has had to call on all his senses to retrieve water birds. Good eyesight, sharp listening skills and an excellent sense of smell makes him the ideal gun dog but he also makes a loyal family pet.

He makes a good playmate for children and he happily gets on well with other pets in the home. Being an intelligent dog, he is easy to train too.

The sporting past of his has made it that he isn’t a couch-potato type of dog and he will require mental- and physical stimulation. His role as gun dog meant that he was required to retrieve birds in water, and he is an excellent swimmer and will happily plunge into water to join you in a swim.

Have him trained and socialized and you’ll find him tuned in to obeying your commands. Because of his smallish size, the Lagotto can adjust well to life in the city or in the countryside, just so long as he still receives his full quota of exercise.

west highland white terrier puppy - descriptionThe Westie can be said as that a small dog having the talents of the big dog. They are very popular for their obedience. They are also working as therapy dogs and also some in search and rescue teams. The home having Westie will have fun always and be enthusiastic. They will suit them for country or city living, but they like to live with their family. They are well suitable for apartment living, but some training should be given to them for not barking. They can stay in home when you are at work. Westie can be taken to travel, whether it may be long vacation or a short visit.

They are quick learners and so training them is not difficult. Mistakes of them can be corrected patiently since they don't like harsh activities against them. Westie will definitely bark when he sees something or hear different sounds. He will bark on seeing visitors or even other dogs. Sometimes they will bark for very silly things but when given appropriate training in their young stage, they can bark only for alerts.

Characteristics

lagotto romagnolo dog - characteristicsMany dog lovers appreciate that the Lagotto Romagnolos is looked upon as an allergy-friendly dog with his non-shedding coat.

Being a medium sized dog, he is manageable too. Add to that excellent characteristics such as being amicable, friendly and loving. Training him some important, basic commands won’t be difficult either and you can add in intelligence to his list of good qualities.

As loving dogs, they are dedicated to their families, getting on well with children in the home as well as with other pets. He is a social dog and just longs to be a treasured member of the family like anybody else.

Count him in with all your activities and you’re going to have a one-in-a-million undemanding and contented canine friend.

Children friendliness

west highland white terrier dog - characteristicsThe Westie is friendly with children but not all the time. So some care should be taken while they are near children.

Special talents

They like to chase rodents like rabbits as they are interested in hunting.

Adaptability

They are suitable for apartment living unless they are left alone for a very long time. They love cold weather more than hot.

Learning ability

They can be trained by giving some extra efforts.

Health Problems

lagotto romagnolo puppies - health problemsLagotto live roughly 16 years with the best food, exercise and loving environment. Some health issues may well crop up, though unlikely, but it is good to be aware of them.

Hip Dysplasia:

You hear the words ‘Hip dysplasia’ being bandied about a lot in the world of dogs because it is such a common dog ailment. Your dog can’t be cured but there are a range of management options that will ensure your pet remains as comfortable as possible.

It is such a common joint disease where the hips partially dislocate. Without veterinary intervention, it can be debilitating and painful. It is essentially a genetic condition but diet and environmental factors can come into play too.

You don’t want your pet putting on too much weight as this puts extra strain on the joints.

Neuroaxonal Dystrophy:

Your dog has loss of function because of the degeneration of cells or tissues. The illness affects different parts of the brain in dogs. You’ll notice a mild tremor of the head and uncoordinated movements. Your vet will want a history of your pet’s health as well as lab tests.

west highland white terrier puppies - health problemsItchy skin and pyoderma are common in terriers. Skin diseases such as Seborrhea and epidermal dysplasia are also found in them.

Hair fall

Westies have possibilities of getting yeast infections in skin[Malassezia Dermatitis] and due to that hair loss will be more.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

lagotto romagnolo dogs - caringNot everyone agrees with how to take care of the Lagotto’s rough, waterproof coat of thick curls. The coat doesn’t shed much but it can pick up grass and small twigs easily. Unless brushed out at least 2 or 3 times a week, the coat can become matted and unruly. For many the coat needs to be trimmed regularly.

Exercise:

The Lagotto needs plenty of exercise. His hunting and retrieving past has given him a natural urge to retrieve and he loves going after every ball you throw him. He will also love to join you on your daily walks and it gives him the chance to sniff around. With swimming being added in, this dog is your true sporting buddy.

Diet:

Make sure you feed your Lagotto the very best quality food there is to ensure his well-being and longevity. If you're unsure about whether he is getting in all the necessary vitamins and minerals with his food, speak to a dog expert as good food is key to a happy, healthy dog.

Feeding the puppy

west highland white terrier dogs - caringThe puppy should be fed 3 to 4 times per day as it requires a considerable amount for their growth. Cooked chicken breast and turkey are best for them and also vegetables should be given to them. Beef and chicken should be kept a limit as it will lead to itchy skin and allergies.

Feeding the adult

The preferable food for the Westie is home cooked. The home food will only contain all the essential nutrients for the Westie.

Points for Good Health

Eventhough the Westie is suitable for apartment living it is recommended to have a daily walk for him to be active and refreshing.

Games and Exercises

They should be made to play for atleast 30 minutes per day for their health as to not gain overweight. Grown up children can play with them as they like it.

Basic Information

Group:
Sporting dog
Terrier dog
Origin:
Italy
United Kingdom
Height Male:
41 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
25 - 30 cm
9 - 12 inches
Height Female:
41 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
23 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
Weight Male:
11 - 16 kg
24 - 36 pounds
7 - 10 kg
15 - 23 pounds
Weight Female:
11 - 16 kg
24 - 36 pounds
6 - 7 kg
13 - 16 pounds
Life Span:
13 - 17 Years
12 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
3 - 7
Size:
Medium dog
Small dog
Other Names:
Water Dog of Romagna
Westie or Westy
Colors Available:
grey, apricot, Cream, white, brown or tan.
White
Coat:
Waterproof, curly double coat with a woolly texture
‎Double
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Friendly, Independent
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
High maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever vs Lagotto Romagnolo - Breed Comparison
  2. Lagotto Romagnolo vs East Siberian Laika - Breed Comparison
  3. Lagotto Romagnolo vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  4. Lagotto Romagnolo vs French Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  5. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  6. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Finnish Spitz - Breed Comparison
  7. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Ariegeois - Breed Comparison
  8. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Beagador - Breed Comparison
  9. Lagotto Romagnolo vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  10. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Field Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  11. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  12. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Curly Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  13. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  14. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  15. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Kooikerhondje - Breed Comparison
  16. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Braque Francais (Pyrenean Type) - Breed Comparison
  17. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  18. Shikoku vs Lagotto Romagnolo - Breed Comparison
  19. Slovakian Hound vs Lagotto Romagnolo - Breed Comparison
  20. Small Munsterlander vs Lagotto Romagnolo - Breed Comparison
  21. Sussex Spaniel vs Lagotto Romagnolo - Breed Comparison
  22. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Lagotto Romagnolo - Breed Comparison
  23. West Siberian Laika vs Lagotto Romagnolo - Breed Comparison
  24. Wetterhoun vs Lagotto Romagnolo - Breed Comparison
  25. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon vs Lagotto Romagnolo - Breed Comparison
  26. Boston Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  27. Jack Russell Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  28. Miniature Schnauzer vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  29. Cairn Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  30. Border Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Rat Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  32. Scottish Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  33. Australian Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Patterdale Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  35. American Hairless Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  36. Bull Terrier Miniature vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  37. Norwich Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  38. Norfolk Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  39. English White Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  40. Parson Russell Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  41. Russell Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  42. Feist vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  43. Manchester Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  44. Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  45. Miniature Fox Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Cesky Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  47. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  48. Schnorkie vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  49. Sealyham Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  50. Chilean Fox Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds